need a new headset/headphones

[slovakftw]

well, my mic on my 5hv2 broke and i need a new one.
i got about 130 for a new pair.
5.1 sound is a must, and 7.1 would be a bonus.
i have a great soundcard, if i use a usb headset does it run off my soundcard? or will it just be sitting there?

[Jake_HT]

USB headset will not use your soundcard.

[slovakftw]

then what kind of headset/headphones should i get then?

[Sushi Warrior]

Are you sure you want 5.1? It really does seem to be a gimmick, does not work well in headphones. At least not in my Barracuda's. Only good ones with 5.1 are Psyko's and maybe the Triton AXPRO's from what I hear.

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by Sushi Warrior

Are you sure you want 5.1? It really does seem to be a gimmick, does not work well in headphones. At least not in my Barracuda's. Only good ones with 5.1 are Psyko's and maybe the Triton AXPRO's from what I hear.

Triton's are awesome from what I hear too, my friend has a pair and now I want to buy some when I get some money. I frankly can't see how the psyko's can have surround sound any better than traditional 5.1 headsets with all that special stuff around the top of your head.

[Sushi Warrior]

Originally Posted by nickpolyz

Triton's are awesome from what I hear too, my friend has a pair and now I want to buy some when I get some money. I frankly can't see how the psyko's can have surround sound any better than traditional 5.1 headsets with all that special stuff around the top of your head.

Everything I have heard says they are the best directional sound. But they cost like $270. Much better off with some Audio-technica (something)700's (forget the model number) or some HD555's.

[Zero82z]

Audiotechnica ATH-AD700s will blow away anything else in that price range. The only thing comparable in that price range would be the Alessandro MS-1, but it isn't the best-suited for gaming purposes. Any "gaming" or 5.1 headsets will sound like crap compared to those two sets.

[curtispan]

Originally Posted by Sushi Warrior

Everything I have heard says they are the best directional sound. But they cost like $270. Much better off with some Audio-technica (something)700's (forget the model number) or some HD555's.

You're thinking of the Audio-Technica A700 or AD700. The A700's are closed-ear headphones and the AD700's are open-eared headphones, much like the HD555's (i believe...). I myself own the Audio-Technica A500 but I had a friend buy them for me when he visited Taiwan. I'm not sure where to get them in Canada.

Basically the only decently priced headphones you can get in Canada are the HD555.

[steers]

If you're interested in a good pair of closed-dynamic headphones for $130, I'd look into the Sennheiser HD280 Pros. Fantastic set of cans, but I'd go and try them out first before you buy em. Some people think they sound too cold (they're monitors, but they LOVE the EQ; not bass-heavy naturally, but it's definitely there if you want to bring it out), and some people think they squeeze too tight (I've had no problem personally, and I have a huge head). The HD555s are great too, so long as there's not too much ambient noise in your listening area. I live in a house with 2 other software engineering students, all with loud computers and louder music; the passive sound dampening has been a godsend, truly.

I got mine from a little place called Mostly Digital. Cheap, and they ship quickly with no hassles. They're based in London if that's close to you.

Closed Professional Headphones HD 280Pro - HD280Pro

[Babrbarossa]

Zalman ZM-RS6F 5.1 Channel Equivalent 6 Speaker Real Surround Headset W/ Microphone - DirectCanada TECH

If you're on a budget- these 5.1 cans work great for the price- I have a set of sennheiser 595s with a x-fi prelude and I still switch back to the zalmans for FPS games.